Apparatus for separating boards or strips



July 24, 1962 W. D. GROGAN APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING BOARDS OR STRIPS Filed May 1, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet l 60 I c //a Z*1 l W////am ,0. royan INVENTQIK Q 96, f M

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July 24, 1962 w. D. GROGAN APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING BOARDS OR STRIPS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 1, 1959 JNVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS W////am fl. Grayan 3,045,726 APPARATUS FOR SEPARATIN G BUS R STRES William David Grogan, 1514 Roberson St., Conroe, Tex. Filed May 1, 1959, Ser. No. 810,425 4 Claims. (Cl. 143157) This invention relates to a new and improved device for separating boards or strips.

As the apparatus of this invention is primarily intended for use in a sawmill or in lumber operations similar thereto, the description of the use and operation of the apparatus shall be primarily directed to such use or operation, but it will be understood that the invention is not so limited.

In accordance with the present practice in sawmills, after logs are cut lengthwise into rough boards of the desired thickness they are conveyed to an edger where the edges of the rough boards are trimmed off with saws and one or more boards or strips of predetermined widths are cut from the rough boards. The outer edge strips which are trimmed off during the edging operation are generally not of sufiicient width or uniformity to be acceptable as commercial lumber, and therefore, such outer edge strips must then be separated from the boards or strips of proper width for further processing, use or disposal as desired.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new and improved means for separating strips in a sawmill operation or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved means for automatically separating boards or strips in accordance with their widths after the boards or strips have passed through an edger or similar cutting device.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved device with separating members or gates for automatically separating strips, wherein limit switches are properly positioned so as to be contacted and operated by the strips passing over them in advance of such separating members, such switches closing an electrical circuit having means therewith for raising and lowering the separating members.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved device for separating boards or strips wherein a plurality of substantially laterally aligned gates are used to separate boards or strips.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved device wherein guide plates and/or guide rollers are provided in advance of a plurality of gates or separating members to direct the movement of strips to the gates or separating members, and wherein such guide plates or guide rollers are so mounted that the gates or separating members may move relative thereto without interference from the guide plates or guide rollers.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for separating boards or strips wherein a plurality of separating members are provided for separating the boards or strips according to the width thereof, and wherein one of said separating members is laterally adjustable to accommodate boards of varying widths.

A particular object of this invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for separating boards or strips wherein a plurality of gates are pivotally mounted for swinging from an inclined position to a raised position to direct the strips of a desired width to one elevation and the strips of an undesired width toanother elevation.

The preferred embodiment of this invention will be described. hereinafter, together with other features thereof,

3,545,725 Patented July 24,1 962 and additional objects will become evident from such description.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view showing the relationship of the strip sorter of the invention to a normal lumbermill operation;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the device of the invention, partly in section and partly in elevation, taken across line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of one form of electrical circuit which may be. used in the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the device of the invention; and,

FIG. 5 is a side view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of the device of the invention with the gates for separating boards in the closed position.

In the drawings, and specifically in FIG. 1, the apparatus or device T of this invention is shown in its preferred position in relation to other phases of a typical sawmill operation. In a typical sawmill operation, a log 7 is placed on a carriage C which moves the log 7 back and forth through the headsaw 9 to cut the log 7 into a plurality of rough boards of desired thickness. Each board which is cut by the saw 9 falls onto the conveyor V and is carried forward to the conveyor V which in turn carries the board to an edger E. The board is then pushed or moved through the edger saws 11a, 11b and to produce one or more boards or strips, the size of which depend upon the spacing of the edger saws 11a, 11b and 110 from each other. The boards or strips are then moved to the device T of this invention, which separates the boards or strips which are of a width suitable for commercial use from the boards or strips which are not of a satisfactory width for commercial use, as will be explained in detail hereinafter.

The apparatus T includes a suitable table 10 which is formed with a table top 10a. If desired, such top 10a may be formed, at least in part, with a plurality of rollers of well known construction. The overall size of the device T is normally determined by the size of the edger with which the device is to be used. The device T is shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 in the position in which it is to be used with the edger E. The edger shown in the drawings is a standard three-saw edger, with the saw 110 positioned between a pair of arms 12 which are slidable laterally on the rod 13 for adjusting the spacing of the saw 110 from the saw 11b. Rollers 14- and 15 (FIG. 5) are mounted on the end of the edger B so as to convey the boards to the next operation. The height of the top 10a of the frame or table 10 should be such that as boards pass from the edger to the top 10a of the table 10 they will be in substantially the same plane as when passing through the edger. Likewise the width of the frame or table 11 is preferably determined by the width of the edger E, both being of approximately the same width. 7

A pair of brackets 19 are mounted on the upper portion of the legs 21 of the frame 10. Extending angularly upwardly and to the left of each bracket 19 is an arm 22 which is connected to the bracket 19 by any suitable means such as a bolt or pin 23. A laterally extending member 24 which is preferably formed of angle iron is mounted across the upper ends of the arms 22. At desired intervals limit switches 27a, 27b, 27c and 27d are mounted on the member 24, as will be more fully explained. These switches are of a conventional type such as the General Electric Model CR9440 I1 or K1. Each of the switches 27a, 27b, 27c and 27d has an arm 29 extending substantially vertically therefrom with a roller 31 mounted at the upper end thereof. The switches 27a, 27b, 27c and 27d are positioned at such height as to perrnrt a board leaving the edger to depress the arm 29 of the switch 27. After the board has passed over the roller 31 on the arm 29, the arm 29 is returned to its normal vertical or substantially vertical position.

A roller 33 is mounted on the table and between the legs 21 thereof, the roller 33 being in the same plane as the roller of the edger B. As the boards or strips leave the saws 11a, 11b and 110 of the edger E they will pass under the roller 14 and over the roller 15 of the edger E and then over the rollers 33 on the limit switches 27a, 27b, 27c and 27d. One or both of the rollers 14 and 15 may be driven by a motor or other suitable power means (not shown) so as to feed the boards or strips from the edger E to the apparatus T for separating the boards or strips, as will be more fully explained.

A pair of guide plates or rails 37 and 38 are mounted lengthwise on the table and substantially parallel to each other. The guide rails 37 and 38 are so positioned that they are aligned on an imaginary line drawn from edger saws 11a and 11b, respectively. Each guide rail 37 and 38 preferably has a cut out portion 41 just over the roller 33 so as to prevent interference with the free rotation of the roller 33. Also, each guide plate 37 and 38 preferably has support extensions resting on the top 10a, such as the extensions 38a and 38b shown in FIG. 5. The guide plates 37 and 38 are secured together at their forward upper ends by a connecting member 39 which preferably is an angle iron welded or otherwise suitably secured to the plates 37 and 38 as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. As will be more evident hereinafter, the guide plates 37 and 38 are spaced apart from each other approximately the same distance as the distance between the saws 11a and 11b so that a board or strip which is cut by such saws will be guided between the plates 37 and 38 as the cut strip or board passes from the saws 11a and 11b. In this connection, it is to be noted that the connecting member 39 is terminated at or just below the upper surfaces of the plates 37 and 38 so that the boards or strips may pass between the plates 37 and 38 without contacting the member39.

In some instances, it may be desirable to provide an additional guide in the form of a guide roller 42 which is pivotally mounted to an extension of the connecting member 39 by means of connecting arms 42a and a pivot pin 42b. The roller 42 is adapted to rotate on the axle 420 which extends between the arms 42a. Thus, the guide roller 42 is adapted to pivot upwardly about the pivot pin 42b when a board passes therebelow, but the weight of the roller 42 is sufficient to apply a restraining force on the board or strip as it moves longitudinally below the roller 42. Therefore, the straight longitudinal movement of the board below the roller 42 is maintained by such contact of the roller 42 with the board.

The guide plates 37 and 38 and also the guide roller 42 are positioned in advance of a plurality of separating members or gates 50, 51, 52 and 53. The guide plate 37 extends longitudinally into the space between the separating members or gates 50 and 51 and the guide plate 38 extends longitudinally into the space between the separating members or plates 51 and 52. Therefore, a board or strip which is fed or moved longitudinally into the area between the guide plates 37 and 38 is directed to 6 the separating member or gate 51 and the boards or strips which are externally of the guide plates 37 and 38 are fed to the separating members or gates 50 and 52, respectively. The guide roller 42 prevents any misalignment of the board or strip which is being directed to the substantially vertical guide extension or edge 50a which extends for substantially the full length of the gate 50 so that the boards or strips which are movable longitudinally on the gate 50 are guided and are prevented from falling or being directed to the side of the gate 50. Also, the

outer gate 53 has a similar vertically or upwardly extending guide edge or extension 53a which also guides the strip or board which is being directed along gate 53 and prevents such strip or board from falling or being directed to the side of the gate 53.

Each of the gates 50, 51, 52 and 53 has a bearing sleeve 50b, 51b, 52b and 53b, respectively, welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto through which a pivot rod or shaft 55 extends so that such gates 50', 51, 52 and 53 are adapted to pivot from a first or inclined position at an angle of about thirty degrees (30) with respect to the table top 10a as shown in FIG. 5 to a raised position wherein the lower ends thereof are raised above the top 10a of the table or frame 10 to permit a board or strip to pass therebelow, as will be more fully explained. The pivot rod 55 is mounted on suitable brackets 56 at each side of the frame 10. Preferably, the brackets 56 are mounted at an elevated position with respect to the top 10a of the table or frame 10 and for that purpose a vertical frame member 10b is provided on which the brackets 56 are positioned. Intermediate connecting straps or members such as and 10d may be employed if desired and they are secured together by welding or any other suitable means.

The separating members or gates 50, 51 and 52 are substantially laterally aligned as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4 and they are prevented from moving laterally by spacer members 57 which may be a part of the guides 37 and 38 if desired or they may be separately positioned on the frame 10. In any event, the longitudinal spaces between the gates 50, 51 and 52 are longitudinally aligned with the saws 11a and 11b, whether the guides 37 and 38 are used or not.

The gate 53 is also laterally aligned with the gates 50, 51 and 52, but instead of being fixed against lateral Il'lOVtr ment, the gate 53 is laterally adjustable or movable within limits to accommodate changes in the width of the board which is fed to the gates when the saw is moved or adjusted, as will be explained. To accomplish such lateral movement or adjusting of the position of the gate 53, the gate 53 has a spring 58 connected therewith which applies a resilient pulling force to the upper end of the gate 53 to move the gate 53 to the right as viewed from the left end of FIG. 4. However, to prevent the shifting of the gate 53 until desired and to coordinate such movement with the movement of the saw 11c, the gate 53 is connected to the handle H of the movable saw 110 with a wire or line 60 which as best seen in FIG. 1 extends from the gate 53 over suitable pulleys 60a, 60b (FIG. 2), and 600 to the handle I-I (FIG. 1). Therefore, as the handle H is moved, the saw 11c and the gate 53 are moved in a coordinated relationship. In that way, the gate 53 is always positioned outwardly (to the right as viewed from the left hand end of FIG. 4) of the saw 110 so that the boards or strips which are cut between the saws 11b and 110 pass to the gate 52 while the boards or strips which are cut outwardly of the saw 110 pass to the gate 53.

In order to prevent a twisting of the gate 53 as it is moved laterally on the pivot rod 55, a stabilizing rod 62 is provided for extending through a substantially U shaped bracket 530 or any other suitable bracket which is welded or is otherwise secured to the lower surface of the gate 53. The stabilizing rod 62 is connected to the pivot rod 55 through connecting arms 63 which permit a pivotal movement of the stabilizing rod 62 as the gate 53 pivots on the rod 55. Therefore, as the gate 53 moves laterally back and forth, the stabilizing rod 62 prevents lateral twisting of the gate 53 because of the movement of the U shaped bracket 530 along stabilizing rod 62. However, because of the pivotal movement of the arms 63, the pivotal movement of the gate 53 is not interfered with by the rod 62.

In some instances, it is desirable to provide an antifriction roller or hearing on the lower surface of the gates 50, 51, 52 and 53, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 5 by the roller 53d. The anti-friction roller or wheel 53d is mounted on a bracket 53c extending from the lower surface of the gate 53, so that in the event the gate 53 is lowered from its raised position while a board or strip is still moving therebelow, the roller 53d will engage the board or strip and therefore will not provide any frictional resistance to the continued movement of the board or strip.

Each of the gates 50, 51, 52 and 53 is operated by a solenoid, an example of which is shown at 65 in FIG. 5. Such solenoid 65 is a standard type of solenoid which is illustrated as connected to the stabilizing rod 62 so that it moves the rod 62 to transmit the movement of the solenoid 65 to the gate 53. Therefore, even though the gate 53 slides or moves laterally on the pivot rod 55 and the stabilizing rod 62, the solenoid 65 is effective for rais ing and lowering the gate 53. Similar solenoids (not shown) or a similar operating means are preferably used below the upper ends of the gates 50, 51 and 52 to effect the raising and lowering of such gates from the inclined position shown in FIG. 5 to a raised position wherein the lower ends thereof are raised a suflicient distance above the top a of the table 10 to permit a board to pass therebelow. Each of the solenoids is mounted on a portion of the frame 10 such as a plate or support member lltie, which is preferably inclined as shown in FIG. 5 so that the movable rod 65a of the solenoid 65 operates in a direction which is perpendicular to the plane of the gate with which it is mounted. However, it will be appreciated that any suitable means for mounting the solenoids 65 can be used.

In FIG. 3 of the drawings, one type of electrical circuit is illustrated which is preferably used in conjunction with the operation of the gates 5043. In such preferred electrical circuit, a source of electrical potential such as a battery or alternating current source B is employed in the circuit. The solenoid 65 for the gate 53 is shown schematically in FIG. 3 and identical solenoids which are shown schematically in FIG. 3 are numbered 65a, 65b and 650 and are used with the gates 50, 51 and 52, respectively. The electrical limit switches 27a, 27b, 27c and 27d are also illustrated schematically in FIG. 3 and are used with the solenoids 65a, 65b, 65c and 65, respectively. Manually controlled switches 66a, 66b, 66c and 66d are also incorporated in the electrical circuit of FIG. 3 so that the solenoids may be separately operated manually if desired. As can be seen in FIG. 3, if the trip switch 27a is closed, then the circuit to the solenoid 65a is complete and such solenoid would operate. When such circuit is complete, the solenoid 65a would function to raise the lower end of the gate 50 upwardly, or in other words, the upper end of the gate 50 would be pulled downwardly by the solenoid 65a. However, when the switch 27a is released to the open position, then the solenoid would return to its original position and the gate 50 would return to the lowered or inclined position with its lower edge in contact withor at substantially the same level as the top 10a of the table or frame 10. Each of the other switches 27b, 27c and 27d function in the same way as the switch 27a for their respective solenoids 65b, 65c and 65. The positioning of the limit switches 27a, 27b, 27c and 27d as shown in FIG. 4 is important because the position of such switches determines whether or not the board passing to the gates 50, 51, 52 and 53 operates any one of such switches for moving the corresponding gate. First of all, therefore, the limit switches 2711-2711 are positioned between the saws 11a, llllb and 11c andthe gates 50-53. It the board which is out between the saws 11a and 11b is a full width board, then the limit switch 27b is contacted and is closed to close the electrical circuit to the solenoid 65b therewith (FIG. 3) for thereby raising the lower end of the gate 51 to permit the board which is directed to the gate 51 to pass below the gate 51 for separation as a board of proper width. For that reason, the switch 27b is located 6 in, but near one side of, the path of travel of the board which is cut between the saws 11a and 11b and it would usually be as close to an imaginary line extending from the saw 11a to the guide plate 37 as possible. Normally, the switch 27b is spaced inwardly from such imaginary line about one-quarter of an inch so that a slight variation in the width of the board is possible. The limit switch 27a is positioned approximately in line with the outer edge of the gate 50, but normally it would be positioned slightly inwardly of such outer edge, about onequarter of an inch, so that if a full width board is cut outwardly of the saw 11a, the limit switch 27a would be contacted and therefore, the gate 5% would be raised to allow such board to pass under the gate 50. However, if the board which is cut outwardly of the saw 11a is not of sufficient width to contact the limit switch 27a, then the gate 50 will remain in the inclined position with the lower edge thereof in contact with or substantially in contact with the top 10a of the table or frame 10 and therefore the board which will be of a lesser width than desired will pass upwardly on the gate 50 and will be discharged to the rear thereof as will be further explained.

The limit switch 27c is located so as to be substantially in alignment with the outer edge of the gate 52 (the righthand edge of the gate 52 as viewed from the left end of FIG. 4). Again, it is desirable to have the limit switch 270 set inwardly about one-quarter of an inch from such outer edge of the gate 52 to permit a slight variation in the width of the board. In any event, if the limit switch 270 is engaged by the board which is cut between the saws lib and He, then the solenoid 650 with the gate 52 is operated to cause the gate 52 to be raised upwardly so that its lower edge is raised above the top 1011 of the table or frame lit to permit the board to pass below the gate 52. However, if the limit switch 270 is not contacted by the board or strip, because of its improper or smaller width than is desired, then such board will pass to the gate 52 and will be moved upward thereon to be discharged at a point rearwardly thereof, as will be explained. Any board or strip which is cut outwardly of the saw will pass to the gate 53 and will pass upwardly thereon unless the limit switch 27d is contacted. The limit switch 27d is shown as positioned extremely far outwardly of the saw He and normally would not be cont-acted unless the saw lllc has been moved outwardly along with the movement of the gate 53 so that an enlarged width board is actually cut. The limit switch 27d may be positioned on a slidable member (not shown) if desired to also enable the limit switch 27d to be normally used when the gate 53 is positioned as shown in FIG. 4. The limit switches 27a, 27b, 27c and 27d may all be varied in position from that shown and described so long as they function to operate the solenoids connected therewith for raising the gates as desired when the width of the boards being fed to the gates is of the width which is desired.

As previously pointed out, the boards which are of the proper width pass below the gates because the gates are raised automatically when they contact the proper limit switch. Such boards which are of the proper width continue to move on the table top 10a as they pass below the gates and are normally discharged to a suitable conveyor or truck (not shown) for use or further processing. Such handling of the boards of proper width will be well understood by those skilled in the art. Normally, additional cutting of the boards to length is required. The boards which are not of the proper or desired width are fed upwardly on the gates and are discharged rearwardly therefrom as previously pointed out. The structure illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 includes a discharge conveyor R which is of standard construction and includes an endless belt 70 mounted on two rollers 71 and '72. The roller 72 is driven by a motor or other source of power 77 through a drive belt 74 in the known manner. The rollers 71 and '72 preferably have axles 71a and 72a extending from each end thereof for mounting in suitable bearings 73 and 74, respectively. Such bearings are positioned on support rails 75 and 76 which are supported on vertical frame members 10b and 10], or any other similar support. In any event, the conveyor R is positioned at an elevation above the top 10a of the table or frame 10 so that the separation of the strips or boards separates the boards of the desired width at one elevation and the boards of the undesired width at the higher elevation. Of course, it will be understood that the selection may be varied so that the boards of the undesired width pass below the boards of the desired width.

To the rear of the conveyor R, a guide rail 80 is preferably positioned on a fiat surface 81 to cause the boards which are fed with the conveyor R to be moved at an angle to the left as viewed from the left end of FIG. 4. For that purpose, the guide rail 80 is curved as illustrated in FIG. 4 so that any boards engaging such rail 80 are directed to the left or laterally to a conveyor (not shown) for moving the boards to another area. Actually, only a portion of the guide rail 8%) is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 since such guide rail 88 would normally extend in its curved form from one side to the other, or in other words, from the support rail 75 to the support rail 76. It would be understood, of course, that any other type of discharge means can be employed behind or rearwardly of the gates 50-53 and in some instances, it may be more desirable to provide for receiving the boards or strips from the gates 5tl53 with different means than that illustrated.

In the use or operation of the device of this invention, a board or strip to be cut is moved through the saws 11a, 11b and 110, either manually or with any suitable feeding mechanism. In some instances, the width of the board being fed to the saws will be too small to form more than one board of commercial width and in that case, saw lie is not usually employed. It is, of course, possible to out such a board with only the saws 11b and 110, and in that case, the saw 11a is not employed. In other instances, the width of the board or strip being fed to the saws will be enough to employ all three saws, and then the saw He is moved outwardly with the handle H to accommodate the increased width of the board. In any event, it is highly desirable to cut the board to the maximum commercial width which is possible between the saws 11b and 110; the edges of the boards which are outwardly of the saws 11a and 110 are normally the trimmed edge strips which are undesirable portions of the board or strip because they are not of a proper width for use as commercial lumber.

Therefore as a board or strip is fed through the saws 11a, 11b and Me, a plurality of boards or strips are cut or formed. As explained previously, one or both of the rollers 14 and 15 are powered rollers to feed th plurality of boards or strips to the gates 5053, but whether the rollers 14 and 15 are powered or not, they serve to direct the cut strips to the gates 50-53. If the guides 37 and 38 and the guide roller 42 are employed, such guides will serve to guide the boards or strips as they are fed from the saws 11a, 11b and tile. However, even if the guides 37, 38 and the guide roller 42 are not employed, the boards or strips which are cut at the saws 11a, 11b and 110 will move longitudinally to the gates 50-53 for the separation operation.

The separation takes place automatically by reason of the action of the limit switches 27a, 2712, 2'70 and 27d in the electrical circuit, as previously explained. Normally, the limit switch 27b will be contacted and moved to the closed position by the board which has been out between the saws 11a and 11b. Also, normally the limit switches 27a and 270 will be unaffected by the boards or strips which are outwardly of the saws 11a and 1117. Therefore, normally the gate 51 will be raised upwardly so that its lower edge is above the top 16a while the gates 50 and 52 are in the downward or lowered position with their lower edges in contact with the table top 10a.

Therefore, the board of proper width will be directed below the gate 51 while the board or strips of a width which is less than desired are fed upwardly on the gates 56 and 52 for discharge onto the conveyor R or any other suitable collecting or conveying means.

When the board which is fed to the saws is of sufficient width to also permit cutting a board of a desired width between the saws 11b and 110, then the switch 270 will also be closed and the solenoid 650 in conjunction therewith Will be operated to raise the gate 52 also. In that event, two boards or strips of the desired width Will be passing below the gates 51 and 52 on the top 10a and will pass to a location for further processing or use. The discarded undesirable strips will normally then pass upwardly on the gates 50 and 53. It will be appreciated, however, that in some instances boards of a satisfactory width may be cut outwardly of the saws 11a and 11c in which case the switches 27a and 27b will be actuated to close the solenoids 65a and 65, respectively, in conjunction therewith for also raising the gates 50 and 53, or either of them. However, such will be unusual and will not normally occur.

As previously pointed out, the guide plates 37 and 38 which extend vertically upwardly as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 extend from a point in advance of the gates to a position extending between the gates may be omitted, and if such is the case, then each of the gates 50-53 would have a vertically extending guide extension or edge on each side of each of the gates 50-53 similar to the guide edges 50a and 53a on the gates 50 and 53; such guide edges would serve the same purpose as the guide plates 37 and 38. Also, it is to be noted that the guide roller 42 is provided rather than providing an additional guide plate such as one of the guide plates 37 or 38 because the width of the board passing to the gate 52 may vary and be of a greater width than the width of the gate 52 in some instances. In such case, the guide roller 42 would still exert the restraining force on the board passing to the gate 52 to prevent it from twisting or moving out of its longitudinal path even though the board would not be fully contacted by the roller 42.

Although the invention has been described above in conjunction with a three-saw edger which is the type of edger normally used in lumber mill operations, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to operation with a three-saw edger because the number of saws may be varied as is well known in the art and in such case the number of gates used in conjunction with the saws would also be varied as desired to accommodate the boards which are being cut.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as Well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for separating a plurality of strips, comprising a plurality of saws substantially laterally aligned with each other for cutting a board or strip into a plurality of strips, slidable means mounted on said cutting means for laterally adjusting one of said saws, a plurality of laterally aligned gates each of which is adapted to receive one of said plurality of strips as said strips move longitudinally relative to said gates, means for mounting each of said gates for movement from a first position for receiving one of said strips to a second position wherein the strip passes longitudinally relative to said gate, means for moving each of said gates from said first position to said second position to selectively separate said plurality of strips as said strips move longitudinally, one of said gates being laterally adjustable for lateral movement in coordinated relationship to said adjustable saw.

2. An apparatus for separating a plurality of strips,

comprising a plurality of saws substantially laterally aligned with each other for cutting a board or strip into a plurality of strips, slidable means mounted on said cutting means for laterally adjusting one of said saws, a plurality of laterally aligned gates each of which is adapted to receive one of said plurality of strips as said strips move longitudinally relative to said gates, feeding means for feeding said strips to said gates from said saws, means for mounting each of said gates for movement from a first position for receiving one of said strips to a second position wherein the strip passes longitudinally relative to said gate, means for moving each of said gates from said first position to said second position to selectively separate said said plurality of strips as said strips move longitudinally, one of said gates being laterally adjustable for lateral movement in coordinated relationship to said adjustable saw.

3. An apparatus for separating a plurality of strips, comprising a cutting means for cutting a board into a plurality of strips, a plurality of laterally aligned separating members adapted to separate said plurality of strips as said strips move longitudinally from said cutting means, operating means for raising each of said separating members from a first position for receiving upon itself and passing on one of said strips to a second position wherein said strip passes longitudinally below said separating member, said operating means including limit switches positioned laterally with respect to the longitudinal movement of said strips and between said cutting means and said separating means, and each of said limit switches being operated by the longitudinal movement of only those of said strips passing over said switches which are of a predetermined width, whereby the strips are automatically separated according to the widths predetermined by the location of said switches.

4, An apparatus for separating a plurality of strips which have been cut from a single board, comprising means for feeding a plurality of strips flatwise and edge to edge in a longitudinal direction, a plurality of laterally aligned gates each of which is adapted to receive one of said strips as said strips move longitudinally relative to said gates, means for mounting each of said gates for movement from a first position for receiving upon itself and passing on one of said strips to a second position wherein the strip passes longitudinally below said gate, and means for automatically moving each of said gates from said first position to said second position only when the strip directed thereto is substantially of a predetermined width, whereby said strips are separated in accordance with their widths as they move longitudinally.

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